Independent Villa Park
TAKE ONE
Fitness Sale! Januar y 2-31
SAVE 15%
On all Annual Passes, New
Deer Grove Leisure Cente 1000 W. Wood St. 630-7 r 66-70 bensenvilleparkdistrict.org 15
also serving Oakbrook Terrace
VOL. 14 • NO. 4
WWW.THEINDEPENDENTNEWSPAPERS.COM
& Renewals
305136
FREE
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2018
Save Lufkin Pool group stages protest at Village Hall Residents shout objections as officials on the dais attempt to explain
By Paul DelGuidice FOR THE VILLA PARK INDEPENDENT
aging, being more than 40 years old. According to comments on the Save Lufkin Pool Group Facebook page, Jefferson Pool is not a good alternative for little children as Jefferson is
more suited to lap swimming and is, in fact, used by the Villa Park Mariners for swim meets. The deterioration of Lufkin Pool and efforts to keep it open have been
ongoing for at least eight years. Village staff has commented that maintenance costs have continued to rise and the ‘bowl’ of the pool has severely deteriorated. One source told The Inde-
pendent that the concrete substructure is crumbling and could actually be dangerous. Greg Gola, Parks & Rec
A group of about 40 Villa Park adults and children staged a protest See POOL, Page 20 outside Village Hall before the Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, Jan. 8. Carrying signs reading “Keep Lufkin Open,” “Where’s the Plan?” and “Let us Swim, We Love Lufkin,” the group gathered along Ardmore Ave. before the Formal Meeting started at 7 p.m. Even more supporters crowded into Village Council Chambers, which was standing-room-only, once the Board meeting began. The protest was prompted by the Board’s Nov. 6 decision not to fund a new liner for the 60-plus year-old Lufkin Pool, located at 1000 S. Ardmore Ave. The decision ensured the pool would not open for the 2018 swimming season. Village staff has proceeded with plans to demolish the pool and attached structures later this year to return it to open green space. ‘Moving Forward’ -- a brochure sent by the Village to residents in their monthly water bills -- explained the severe maintenance problems with Lufkin. It also sought input from residents on a potential recreation center, pool or combination indoor/outdoor aquatic facility. While estimated costs for these facilities were included in the brochure, no mention of possible sources of that funding or dates of completion were listed. During the Nov. 6th Board meeting, Village President Al Bulthuis said raising the funds and building such a facility could take up to 10 years. Jefferson ‘not a good alternative’ The closure of Lufkin Pool will PAUL DELGUIDICE PHOTO Villa Park Independent leave Jefferson Pool on the north side About 15 kids joined with their parents outside Village Hall on Monday, Jan. 8 to protest the Board of Trustee’s decision not to fund repairs of town as the only remaining public at aging Lufkin Pool, thus ensuring the facility will not reopen. Once the meeting began, about 60 residents (adults and children) crowded pool in Villa Park. Jefferson is also into the Board room to comment on the decision and ask the Board to reconsider their vote and “Save Lufkin Pool”.
Inside:
Police Reports...........6 Sports �������������������� 21 Viewpoint.................8 Classifieds..........26-27
A
UTO DVANTAGE
CAR CARE CENTER FULL SERVICE AUTOMOTIVE Across From Dapper’s Restaurant
Addison • 885 W. Lake St. 272551
(1-1/2 mile East of Route 53)
630-543-1397 Mon.-Fri. 8-6 • Sat. 8-3
We will BEAT any competitors written estimate by 10% plus FREE Oil Change Ask manager for details.
Why go anywhere else when you can SAVE MORE MONEY at Auto Advantage.
Oil Change Special Includes Lube and New Filter nly wO No
19.95
$
WOW!
Most passenger vehicles. Up to 5 quarts SW30 premium motor oil, lube and new filter.
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID ROCK VALLEY PUBLISHING LLC